Aftermarket parking Heater for LWB 4Motion?

[clufus]

I thought I'd save myself a few quid and order my nu T6 w/o a parking heater and then get one fitted as a precursor to getting a full conversion. Now I'm not so sure that was a wise move - I have read here and there that there isn't room underneath a 4Motion for the heater and I don't fancy having it under the passenger seat in the cab (or the driver's seat, but I think the leisure battery is being fitted under that - van due first half March)))) ).

Please can someone tell me if I have dropped a clanger, or will I be able to have a Webasto or similar fitted somewhere sensible on my nu T6 Kombi. I was hoping to get a remote controllable unit. I'd appreciate a recommendation of best company to fit it safely, too - I live in Sheffield, but distance no object. I thought I'd sussed a top notch firm (long established) of converters about an hour away, but they were zero help when I approached them re. some side bars and a rear spoiler as soon as I collect the van, so they won't be getting any of my cash, sadly. Thank you all.

 

[Deaky]

There is an ongoing thread about retro fitting a parking heater in the factory position here @clufus Front Step Vent with OEM Factory Aux Heating

@Fish and @DaveyB are both retrofitting using factory parts.

 

[clufus]

Thank you. Sorry for being a pain - should I ask them directly?

 

[Deaky]

Nah, now I've tagged them they'll probably chip in I wouldn't talk to them anyway, they'll empty your wallet

 

[Fish]

What's the addition cost from VW?.

 

[clufus]

It all seems a bit much to me - and little or no explanation from VW. The diesel heaters are around a grand, aren't they? There's been a price increase since the date of that price list, too(!).

 

[Deaky]

View attachment 18089 It all seems a bit much to me - and little or no explanation from VW. The diesel heaters are around a grand, aren't they? There's been a price increase since the date of that price list, too(!).

Double it for factory fitted with remote control.

 

[DaveyB]

Hi @clufus
I have just ordered the parts from that ever so helpful fella @Pauly, and as @Deaky says folk like @Fish and @Deaky himself, have been equally helpful in the process.
Fish has a LWB but it is not 4 motion.
I have a SWB, again not 4 motion. So can’t answer that part of the question with any certainty. However, based upon where the aux heater unit bolts under the van (beneath the drivers seat) can’t overly see why a 4motion would make any particular difference as the prop shaft will run straight down the centre line.
I am yet to have a full and final figure for the parts (as Fish and I need to do a couple of swapsy’s) but believe it to be around the £300 mark.
Your biggest outlay will be if you have to get someone to fit them for you as that won’t be cheap. I plan to do mine myself and then post up a “how to”.
I am going for a Propex LPG heater, whereas Fish is going for a diesel heater.
You are right, an eberspacher D2 with full remote will set you back over a grand.
The Propex heater with tank (and bbq outlet) is £1200 but not remote operated.
Autogas is around half the price per litre than diesel. So it really is down to personal preference as to which you fit and why. As I want an LPG tank so that I can use it for cooking, to me it makes sense to then have gas heating.
Fish has the LPG tank for cooking but wants the diesel heater so that not all of his eggs are in same basket so to speak (plus he’s minted ).

 

[Fish]

Nothing more needs to be added..
D2 being fitted on 20th.. so will also grab a few images of the cuts etc.

 

[DaveyB]

Nothing more needs to be added..
D2 being fitted on 20th.. so will also grab a few images of the cuts etc.

You cutting yours out yourself @Fish or the installer doing it for you? Lots and lots of piccies required please.

 

[clufus]

Hi @clufus
I have just ordered the parts from that ever so helpful fella @Pauly, and as @Deaky says folk like @Fish and @Deaky himself, have been equally helpful in the process.
Fish has a LWB but it is not 4 motion.
I have a SWB, again not 4 motion. So can’t answer that part of the question with any certainty. However, based upon where the aux heater unit bolts under the van (beneath the drivers seat) can’t overly see why a 4motion would make any particular difference as the prop shaft will run straight down the centre line.
I am yet to have a full and final figure for the parts (as Fish and I need to do a couple of swapsy’s) but believe it to be around the £300 mark.
Your biggest outlay will be if you have to get someone to fit them for you as that won’t be cheap. I plan to do mine myself and then post up a “how to”.
I am going for a Propex LPG heater, whereas Fish is going for a diesel heater.
You are right, an eberspacher D2 with full remote will set you back over a grand.
The Propex heater with tank (and bbq outlet) is £1200 but not remote operated.
Autogas is around half the price per litre than diesel. So it really is down to personal preference as to which you fit and why. As I want an LPG tank so that I can use it for cooking, to me it makes sense to then have gas heating.
Fish has the LPG tank for cooking but wants the diesel heater so that not all of his eggs are in same basket so to speak (plus he’s minted ).

Firstly, thank you for all this info. It sounds as though it should be doable, after all. I am thinking @slidepods might be a good bet to talk to, as he/they seem to do a lot of these. I reckon that I had better get somebody else to fit my heater as, despite some practical skills, I feel that this is a project that would be easier "second time around", and I'd rather not cock it up, first time, on my OWN van! ! Any further advice greatly received. Am thinking to go the diesel route, if possible, as it's all about heat for the rear of the van whilst me and dogs are asleep on our travels around Europe...... thx again

 

[DaveyB]

No problem @clufus, happy to offer advice. The only thing I would add is around your reasoning to go for Diesel. An LPG heater will do exactly what a diesel one will and a tank of gas will last weeks even if heating and cooking with it.
Not trying to sway you one way or the other, just want to make sure you can balance any inner arguments.

 

[clufus]

No problem @clufus, happy to offer advice. The only thing I would add is around your reasoning to go for Diesel. An LPG heater will do exactly what a diesel one will and a tank of gas will last weeks even if heating and cooking with it.
Not trying to sway you one way or the other, just want to make sure you can balance any inner arguments.

Ok - I am going to look into this. The cooking will come in time, once I have got well on with the conversion (cannot afford to do it all in one go). For now, it's having a warm van to kip in at dog shows that is my priority. Will investigate your suggestion - can it all go under the van? thx

 

[DaveyB]

Ok - I am going to look into this. The cooking will come in time, once I have got well on with the conversion (cannot afford to do it all in one go). For now, it's having a warm van to kip in at dog shows that is my priority. Will investigate your suggestion - can it all go under the van? thx

Yep, everything goes under the van. The only reason I would advise to consider all of your options is on a cost perspective.
There is hell of a lot you need to weigh up. Personally speaking;
The D2 is about a grand, and diesel is bloody expensive.
The Propex heater, tank and bbq outlet is just over the grand mark by around £200.
So here is your dilemma.
If you are not going to cook from the same system, it’s probably not worth getting the propex as you can have a Cadac bbq and run it on canisters if your only going to use it a few times per year. If this were the case i’d go D2.
If however you are going to do it all off the same fuel type then LPG makes more financial sense.

 

[rod_vw]

I'll chip in if I may, using an Eberspacher with an 801 controller (maybe with remote added if you want one) will provide better temperature control than the genuine controller I think. With this controller you set the required temperature in degrees, it also p[provides a non heated air circulation mode for warm days/nights. That is using the sensor built into the 801 not the one in the heater.
I've fitted these and in two cases had to add the wire to the loom to enable full 801 control. Recently my heaters have come from Bowers at Stoke on Trent as a T5/T6 kit but not using the included bracket. Kit price is a bit less than £900.
If you don't have Adblue or a coolant heater there is the possibility of fitting the heater under the left side.
As said above I can't see any reason why 4Motion should have any bearing on fitting in the genuine VW location.

Rod

 

[clufus]

Hi Rod. Thx for the helpful advice. It would be useful to get air-circulation as well as heat, you are spot on.

It's a 204 T32 HL DSG 4M LWB Kombi, so comes with the adblue technology. Is this wot you meant, or am I being thick? Many thx.

 

[rod_vw]

My current T6 is a 140ps T32 LWB but still a Euro5 engine so doesn't have the adblue tank or a coolant heater. That leaves a space under the floor on the left side which is filled on your van with the adblue tank. You only have the option of fitting the heater under the right side where VW fit it but could bring the outlet pipe through the floor under the driver's seat and out through the seat base blowing backwards. Although not as elegant as the VW option in the bottom of the right 'B' post it does clear the kitchen fittings and blow towards the centre of the habitation area.
My reason for using the left location and plumbing the outlet backwards out of that seat box is to leave the remainder of the seat box space for all of my electrical fuses etc. plus a bit of oddments space then I fit one leisure battery under the driver's seat (and a second one within the furniture).
My previous camper conversion which is now for sale can be seen here, the heater control and outlet can be seen in some of the pictures.

Rod

 

[slidepods]

Firstly, thank you for all this info. It sounds as though it should be doable, after all. I am thinking @slidepods might be a good bet to talk to, as he/they seem to do a lot of these. I reckon that I had better get somebody else to fit my heater as, despite some practical skills, I feel that this is a project that would be easier "second time around", and I'd rather not cock it up, first time, on my OWN van! ! Any further advice greatly received. Am thinking to go the diesel route, if possible, as it's all about heat for the rear of the van whilst me and dogs are asleep on our travels around Europe...... thx again

Hi @clufus did you get round to contacting us?? You are right that we fit loads of diesel night heaters as we are a Webasto approved fitting centre which means all our fits carry the full 3 year Webasto parts and labour warranty.

 

[clufus]

Hi @clufus did you get round to contacting us?? You are right that we fit loads of diesel night heaters as we are a Webasto approved fitting centre which means all our fits carry the full 3 year Webasto parts and labour warranty.

Hi - yes I dropped you a line this afternoon & yr office mgr fired back a quote. Very helpful. I asked a couple of questions and expect she'll get back to me tomos.

 

[clufus]

Hi @clufus did you get round to contacting us?? You are right that we fit loads of diesel night heaters as we are a Webasto approved fitting centre which means all our fits carry the full 3 year Webasto parts and labour warranty.

Hi there. Couple of quick questions: Will the unit circulate unheated air (summer) if required and do you routinely include the exhaust silencer in your fits? Is it possible (and beneficial)? Thanks